Q: What is the function of the prostate, and why does my doctor need to check it every year?
A: The prostate is a gland in men that helps make semen - the fluid that carries sperm. It is located around the tube that transports urine from the bladder out of the body. While a young man's prostate is approximately the size of a walnut, it usually grows larger with age.
When the prostate becomes too large, it can cause problems. Your healthcare provider checks the prostate every year to be sure no issues have developed. It's better to start treating any problems sooner rather than later.
Q: Should I be concerned about the development of prostate problems?
A: Minor problems with your prostate won't necessarily raise your chance of developing prostate cancer. While the majority of prostate problems are not cancerous and usually only cause discomfort, the symptoms are similar, and it's important to discuss any abnormalities with your provider.
Age is a key factor when it comes to prostate problems, as the prostate tends to grow bigger with age, and tumors are more likely to form. Prostate trouble is common in men after age 50. However, men in their 30s and 40s can also have trouble with their prostate, though it is less common.
Prosta-titis is a common inflammation of the prostate sometimes caused by bacterial infection. Some symptoms to watch for include pain or burning during urination, difficulty urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, chills and fever. If you have trouble urinating or need to go often, you may have benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Q: Am I at risk of developing prostate cancer?
A: One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, but only one in 35 will die of the disease according to the American Cancer Society.
Prostate cancer has other risk factors you should be aware of besides age. African-American men are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer when compared to Hispanic, Latino and Asian-American men.
A family history of prostate cancer can raise your risk of developing the disease. If you have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer, you are twice as likely to get the disease when compared to a man who doesn't have a family history of prostate cancer.
Eating habits are also thought to contribute to your risk of developing the cancer. Diets that are rich in fats-especially red meat and other animal fats-may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Even though prostate cancer is often slow-growing, it is a very serious cancer. In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will develop in the United States and 27,360 men will die as a result of this disease. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death among men.
Q: How can I prevent myself from developing this cancer?
A. There is no one sure way to prevent prostate cancer; however, there are ways to manage your risk and protect your health. You should begin screening regularly for the disease during your physical exam once you reach age 50. If you are at high risk of developing the cancer, you should begin screenings at age 40. Early detection and treatment is the best way to beat prostate cancer. The American Urological Association Foundation recommends a baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer. PSA is a protein found in your blood produced by the prostate, which can be measured by a blood sample taken by your provider. If you believe you have any of the symptoms or are at high risk for prostate problems, please contact your provider.
- Urologist Kenneth Sparr, MD, treats all conditions of the urinary tract in men and women, especially kidney stones and prostate disease. Dr. Sparr received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 1993.
A: The prostate is a gland in men that helps make semen - the fluid that carries sperm. It is located around the tube that transports urine from the bladder out of the body. While a young man's prostate is approximately the size of a walnut, it usually grows larger with age.
When the prostate becomes too large, it can cause problems. Your healthcare provider checks the prostate every year to be sure no issues have developed. It's better to start treating any problems sooner rather than later.
Q: Should I be concerned about the development of prostate problems?
A: Minor problems with your prostate won't necessarily raise your chance of developing prostate cancer. While the majority of prostate problems are not cancerous and usually only cause discomfort, the symptoms are similar, and it's important to discuss any abnormalities with your provider.
Age is a key factor when it comes to prostate problems, as the prostate tends to grow bigger with age, and tumors are more likely to form. Prostate trouble is common in men after age 50. However, men in their 30s and 40s can also have trouble with their prostate, though it is less common.
Prosta-titis is a common inflammation of the prostate sometimes caused by bacterial infection. Some symptoms to watch for include pain or burning during urination, difficulty urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, chills and fever. If you have trouble urinating or need to go often, you may have benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Q: Am I at risk of developing prostate cancer?
A: One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, but only one in 35 will die of the disease according to the American Cancer Society.
Prostate cancer has other risk factors you should be aware of besides age. African-American men are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer when compared to Hispanic, Latino and Asian-American men.
A family history of prostate cancer can raise your risk of developing the disease. If you have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer, you are twice as likely to get the disease when compared to a man who doesn't have a family history of prostate cancer.
Eating habits are also thought to contribute to your risk of developing the cancer. Diets that are rich in fats-especially red meat and other animal fats-may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Even though prostate cancer is often slow-growing, it is a very serious cancer. In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will develop in the United States and 27,360 men will die as a result of this disease. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death among men.
Q: How can I prevent myself from developing this cancer?
A. There is no one sure way to prevent prostate cancer; however, there are ways to manage your risk and protect your health. You should begin screening regularly for the disease during your physical exam once you reach age 50. If you are at high risk of developing the cancer, you should begin screenings at age 40. Early detection and treatment is the best way to beat prostate cancer. The American Urological Association Foundation recommends a baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer. PSA is a protein found in your blood produced by the prostate, which can be measured by a blood sample taken by your provider. If you believe you have any of the symptoms or are at high risk for prostate problems, please contact your provider.
- Urologist Kenneth Sparr, MD, treats all conditions of the urinary tract in men and women, especially kidney stones and prostate disease. Dr. Sparr received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 1993.
